I know we’re not supposed to play favorites, and as a maternal mental health professional, I’d love to tell you that I don’t. But if I’m being honest? I do. I care about all of my emotions, truly. Each one has a purpose. But to pretend I love them all equally would be misleading. Sure,…
I am a psychotherapist and the Director of Education and Professional Development at Wildflower. In addition to being a therapist, I am a yoga instructor with specific training in Trauma Sensitive Yoga Therapy and Yoga Informed Psychotherapy. As a clinician, I work with people to integrate their life experiences into their sense of self while mindfully connecting to values in order to create the life they want to be truly present in. As a leader in training and development, I strive to do the same for our clinical staff and broader community in a professional context. I utilize a holistic and interactional model for clinical supervision with a focus on ethics, cultural competency, and integrity. I am passionate about the work we do and the communities we build and firmly believe that creating a safe and diverse atmosphere is fundamental to learning and growth.
Joining in the therapeutic process can be fulfilling, challenging, vulnerable, and inspiring. I utilize evidence-based approaches along with a focus on the mind-body connection to help the people I work with feel truly empowered to make the changes they would like to see in their lives. I have worked with individuals at many stages of their journey and feel honored each time I am able to join in any leg of that endeavor. I am so grateful for the connections and insights developed in the moments that feel both big and small. I find there is incredible power in the silence and reflection along the way, and my goal is to create a safe space to explore the full range of experiences that occur within therapy.
I obtained my Bachelor’s degree at Knox College and my Master’s degree in clinical social work at the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration. Prior to joining Wildflower, I was the Clinical Director of a Mood, Anxiety and Trauma Related disorders program at the residential level of care. I have worked extensively with individuals with mood, anxiety, trauma related disorders and eating disorders treating both individuals, couples and families. My clinical training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention, and Trauma Sensitive Yoga Therapy guide my holistic approach towards helping people in their emotional and behavioral development.
Furthering Wildflower’s educational mission is an essential part of my role and professional identity. I have presented on a variety of themes to clinicians at Wildflower and beyond. Topics have included: "Like a Mother: Clinical Implications of Psychotherapy as a New(er) Mom," "On Grief and Grieving: Addressing Perinatal Loss in Psychotherapy," "Step by Step: Applying DBT to the Treatment of Trauma," "Co-regulation in Action: Beginning with the Therapist," "Treating Trauma Through the Stages: An Integrative Approach," "Connecting Mind and Body: Healing Through Yoga," "Evidence-based Practice and Practice-based Evidence: How Do We Determine What Interventions to Call On and Whether They Are Effective?" "Rocky Terrain: Addressing Ruptures, Repairs, and Terminations in Psychotherapy," and "Trauma-Informed Care."
LCSW License Number: 149017861
Type 1 NPI Number: 1942747522
Accepts: Lyra, UnitedHealthcare/Optum PPO, self-pay and out of network clients
Pronouns
she/her/hersSelected training and affiliation
Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Certification with the Trauma Center Dialectical Behavior Therapy training Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy training Exposure And Response Prevention Training Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change Certified Yoga Instructor (200hr, Yoga Alliance) Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level One Certified Perinatal Mental Health Certified (PMH-C) Clinical Supervision: Providing Effective Supervision, Navigating Ethical Issues and Managing Risk Training and Certification Highly-Sensitive Person (HSP) Knowledgeable TherapistKey beliefs
You are exactly where you need to be, in fact this moment is the only one you could be in. Allow yourself to be here and breathe. Everyone is doing the best that they can with the skills that they have, when we know “better” we can do “better”.More about me
I adore my dogs and have rescued several. I’m an animal lover and have a dream to one day live on a farm where I have many dogs, maybe a few pigs and a pond with two otters who hold hands. I love reading and am always either in the middle of a book or listening to one on audible—if not both simultaneously. My own yoga practice is so important to me but I still have trouble committing to a regular practice. I try to practice a lot of self-compassion about that and make it to my mat as often as I can. I am the mother of two babies born during the COVID-19 pandemic. The process of becoming a parent during the extreme circumstances we are living through has been formative in my therapeutic work, especially with my perinatal clients. I believe now more than ever, we need to lead with compassion and curiosity to adapt to these uncertain times.
Somatic Therapy 101: A Conversation with the Body
Why Explore Somatic Therapy? When you think of “therapy,” the image of two people sitting across from each other holding mugs of tea might come to mind. And that image would not be wrong and, in fact, the process of talking through one’s problems can be exceptionally healing. But we all know emotions and memories…
Rocky Terrain: Navigating Rupture and Repair in Psychotherapy
Therapeutic relationships, like all human connections, are complex and sometimes messy. Ruptures—moments of misattunement, misunderstanding, or conflict—are inevitable. Yet, it is in the repair that the true work of therapy unfolds. Addressing ruptures and working through them fosters resilience, deepens trust, and models relational healing. The Therapeutic Alliance: A Foundation for Repair The therapeutic alliance…
The Highly Sensitive Parent: How to Navigate the Overwhelm and Embrace Your Strengths
Parenting is challenging for everyone—but for highly sensitive people, parenting can feel especially intense. The daily sounds, chaos, emotions, and decisions can stir up big feelings and overstimulation. If you identify as a highly sensitive person, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. In fact, you may have strengths that make you an especially attuned, empathic,…
Trauma Sensitive Yoga Therapy: What It Is and If It’s For You
Trauma affects not only the mind but also the body, often leaving survivors feeling disconnected from their physical selves. There are many treatments for trauma, and you can learn more about those in Navigating Life After Trauma: Healing and Integration. Traditional talk therapies address the cognitive and emotional aspects of trauma, but many individuals find…
The Overwhelmed Working Parent: Finding Space to Breathe
As a working parent, I know firsthand how relentless the demands of life can feel. It’s as if there’s an endless ticker tape of tasks running through your mind: emails to answer, meals to prepare, forms to fill out, and let’s not forget the mental gymnastics required to ensure you’re giving your kids the best…
ACT, CBT, DBT, EMDR, ERP: A Guide to Evidence-based Therapies
When you first enter the world of therapy, you might not know exactly where to start. That might have something to do with a feeling that you don’t know the lingo and can’t make sense of the alphabet soup. Every therapist will have a slew of letters behind their name – LCSW, PsyD, CST, LMFT,…
Healing Through EMDR: Getting Grounded in Shaky Times
After completing part two of my Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) training this past weekend, I left feeling grounded, energized, and — dare I say — hopeful. This felt like a stark contrast to the energy of the weeks and months leading up to it given the anxiety we have collectively been buzzing with.…
Honoring the Complexities of Perinatal Loss: A Guide for Clinicians
Loss is one of the most painful and often isolating experiences within the perinatal community. Perinatal loss, which encompasses miscarriage, stillbirth and death of an infant in the first month of life, is a deeply personal and often unspoken grief. The silence surrounding this loss can lead grieving individuals to suffer alone, without the support…
LGBTQ+ Allyship: Not Just for June
As we celebrate Pride Month, it’s crucial to recognize the importance of being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Supporting and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and equality are not just ethical imperatives but also essential for promoting mental well-being and social justice. Let’s take a moment to explore what it means to be an effective…
